Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / Feb. 16, 1909, edition 1 / Page 2
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THE VHh FEBRUARY 16, 19l9 w Elect Mayor From the Board of Aldermen (Continued flora page 1) should their Jud f men, voted that the mayor Ji.. lO.'i-til hv the Hoard and i. iows and deliberations should have iho careful consideration of your body, livery class of people in the city is entitled to he considered and 1 as biniK' that you intend to hear them. Petitions vs. Sentiment. "I don't think." continued Mr. Cans-d'i- "that petitions furnish any aecu- Y:ite index of sentiment, nor do I think. much of the sentiment expressed at jmldio meetings. T1k-v count for little '.sipuiflcance. I recollect attending a public meeting in the court house two years ago during the closing hours of the municipal election. Judging the sentiment expressed at the meeting it looked like the Municipal League was loomed but it was vastly different in the election oi the following day. Alderman Henderson did not feel that he should obligate himself, "be cause," ho said. "I don't see any other vay of electing a mayor than either by the people or by the board. Aldermen Bland and Keesler thought that the board and the committee were. or. at .lea.t. should he open to conviction. Mr. C'jinsler was asked to continue. "If we are going to stand by our j;uus your charter will go over two years, for there is only a short, time left in which to gel it in shape to be presented to the legislature. We must W together, compromise and .make mutual concessions. We. in Charlotte, have sipiab'dod ami hr.d so many polit ical scraps that it has about reached gment Did you ever hear anything but praise for Vick's Croup and Pneumonia Salve? It is the best. It's worth 2o to 50 dollars and j often more to families. 2. r0 1 and $1.0(1. All Druggists. attorney, the coimnittee of 10. and their views on the matter. Mr. .1. P. Caldwell was called on for his views. "Mr. Cansler has stated the case so well.' he said, "that it is not necessary for me to say anything. 1 don't like the proposed compromise nearly so well as the original phrase of the charter, but I am ready to fall in line" with that plan in the interests of peace and harmony. - "In regard to Mr. Scott's plan. 1 am willing to adopt either. I'll add this, however. 1 had a talk with Senator Pharr the other day and he said that whatever is done will have to be done quickly. Three days will be required to put the measure through and as the present draft is merely a skeleton, a week or more wii be needed in which to draw up the charter in full. We must hurry!" Mr. Weddington said the plan sug gested by Mr. Cansler was rather new hut if it should be accepted he would suggest that each ward select one al- himself. Mr. McRae, city was also opposed to it. "I am hot opposed to taxing the public service corporations," said the city attorney, "but I question whether it would be wise at this time to suspend across these utilities any block to the wheels of pro gress. If the time is ripe to begin making them nay on their gross re ceipts, I have nothing to say. But. unless vou expect to exercise this ! power, believing that it is just and 1 reasonable, there is no need putting i them to the disadvantage and pos sible inability to float their bonds and thereby hurt them. "Vou don't think then. Mr. McKae. that the city has the right and power to regulate these public service cor porations who get their franchises for nothing? asked Mr. Murphy. "1 don't say that," said Mr. Mcltae. Mr. Chambers contended that the corporations paid an ad valorum tax just like the individual who pays taxes on his property. Mr. Keesler Favors the Measure. At the conclusion of . Mr. McRae's remarks Mr. Keesler arose and said he would not be true to himself, to his own conscientious convictions on this subject, nor to the people whom he, in fact, represented, if he failed io say a word on this important feature of the proposed charter. He said: "Mr. Chambers seems to take the the point where tl;-- people of North Carolina are thinking we are not capa iolo of self-g' et nan-nt and if we don't onie together tonight then 1 will thinK so "myself. "My proposition is not what I want.' eoutlnued Mr. Can.-ler. "but it is a iimposition he'i.v than the board's con 'iitiou tha; the mayor should be elected by the people. It has been tried all over Mecklenburg and all ov rr North Carolina and without criti- isni. It is sdniply this, 'that the board f aldermen be required to elect the mayor from a member of the board. "Now gentlemen, this is a compro mise we can trv for two years. If it tails, or. if you decide you don't liKei it. repeal it and go back to the oid form of government or some other way.j It is nothing more than the plan which' is in operation in this county, practiced) i your board of county commissioners j who vlect their chiot executive, the) nairman. ine people elect the mem bers of the board separately and these then elect their executive head. In the proposition of allowing the seven ;i ldemien to choose their own executive 'lead, the people are getting their wish es. They thus vote not directly, but somewhat personally, too. I feel that you get more than we do through the compromise. It is not undemocratic, or there would have been kicks against it in all the counties of the state for these long years. It is no novel scheme. This is not what we wanted, but it is ottered solely in the hope that we can get together We must get to gether on this thing to save ourselves from further disgrace. There may be wime who fear political deals through this method. It has not shown itself il"n to su:h attack before. "It seems to be," continued Mr. Cansler. "that the only objection to this is prely sentimental. If the peo ple, are willing for their board of alder men to collect and spend their mon- v, from 2."o o to $300,000 a year. then they should be willing for the hoard to elect their chief executive. It is not undemocratic for it is admin istered all over North Carolina It is prevailing now -uid it will continue -to prevail. It is similar to that, practic ed by the board of directors of a cor poration that elect its executive head. "Does any man say that your chief ')f police is not in many respects an important in ofticer as the mayor? Why don't the people ask to bo allow ed to vote for him? He has the bur den of upholding the law in his hands and is responsible for the maintenance of peace, certainly a very important task. Yet no one wants to vote for him directly. The same is true of your b-rk and treasi.n-r. Into his banns '-'oes jill the money of the city. His is a responsible position but t hi. ni. don't care to eject him. When give the board of aldermen nlen- powcis id manage the affairs or city. SOU tie lli.-ii- 1i;inrln u-hoti eh-ct a man yourselves nv.r tSeir heads. About, the only thins this in alienable right i.s that you are talking nhout is the privilege of voting a man in and then voting him out at the ex piration of two vears." The Compromise Favorable. Alderman Scott said Mr. Cansler's proposition appealed to him and he thought it would secure a better quali ty of aldermen provided they were elected at large. Alderman (iaribaldi stated his approval of the measure 'I i..... :... .! . :.-'- mi wil (Tl (I ) I lie MitiinpfL niise," he said, "and I object. You have converted me. Mr. Cansler. There is another thing that should like io arid also, ami lhat is that the Australian ballot " Consideration of this proposition to adopt the Australian ballot was post oned, however, to taken up later. Mr. Scott was the next gentleman to be heard from. "I believe." he said, the pla-n suggested by mayor ought to be en and not from three elected at large be mayor. I believe it the situation and the people if the whole nt large, then the mayor." Thus far silence had reigned dermen each and the city think the wards desire this." "and that the people want "If you are going to adopt three. "I " he said, it." either of , "I pre from the If you Strong Healthy Women If a woman is strong and healthy in a womanly way, moth erhood means to her but little suffering. The trouble lies in the fact that the many women suffer from weakness and disease of the distinctly feminine organism and are unfitted for motherhood. This can be remedied. Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription . Cures the weaknesses and disorders of women. It acts directly on the delicate and important organs concerned in motherhood, making them healthy, strong, vigorous, virile and elastic. "Favorite Prescription" banishes the indispositions of the period of expectancy and makes baby's advent easy and almost painless. It quickens and vitalizes the feminine organs, and insures a healthy and robust baby. Thousands testified to its marvelous merits. It Makes Weak Women Strong. It Makes Sick Women Honest druggists do not offer substitutes, and urjie them upon ou as "just as good." Accept no secret nostrum in place of this non-secret remedy. It contains not a drop of alcohol and not a grain of habit-forming or injurious drugs. Is a pure glyceric extract of healing, native American roots. , , r sit ion that all iranchise taxes, or meas ures contemplating stub, are wrong, for the reason that the owners of such pay an ad valorem tax. Why. all cities. majority. Another amendment by Mr. Scott, providing that property own ers be not required to pay for street improvements oftener than once in 10 years, was also carried. The next and last section of the charter subjected to a discussion was po-.that provision in regard to enlarging jurisdiction of the recorder's court.. Colonel Kirkpatrick moved that the entire section be stricken out and his motion received a second, which pre- If a man doesn't enjoy thc job won't piease the boss. The front back yard of many look:; like a junk Most of are of no the things people earthly benefit. the plans." said Mr. Keesle for the mayor being selected seven instead of the three. are going to confine his election or selection to a few. for goodness sake give us seven from which to take him." Mr. Anderson stated t hat the propo sition of Mr. Cansler was entirely new to the committee of 10. but he was in favor of anything to bring about har mony. He thought it would be best, however, to have the election of the seven at large and then select the mayor from the seven. Dr. Graham was in favor of Mr. C ansler s plan but thought tne mayor should come from the seven instead ot from the three. Mr. Scott ihe!i made a motion that the mayor be selected from the sev en aldermen and that the seven alder men be elected at large. After some discussion it was decided ! to vote only on the latter part of the motion first. The original motion was then withdrawn and one substituted which provided that the election of tne board of aldermen be at large. l here was some little discussion on the motion some favoring the election at large and some desiring that the wards select four and the election of the others be at large. When the motion was finally put to a vote it was carried bv 11 to six, the following gentlemen supporting it: Messrs. Murphy, Chambers, Lee, Dr. Hiand, Cane, Scott. Heath. Colonel Kirkpatrick Garibaldi, Klouse and Buim. Messrs. Henderson. McKenzie. j Smith, Shelor. Williams and Severs (voting against it. Mr. McDowell Gratified. "1 am gratified that we have ar rived at a conclusion," said Mr. Bre vard McDowell, who is the chairman of the Committee of Ten. This is it of East. South or West, so far cipitated the dissension. Mr. Wedding-i causes information goes, where fran-j ton advocated the original measure.! exist, and where they have at-j stating that during his service on the' proportions, have, board of comity commissioners he nan found that the county had been forced to spend large sums on petty cases that should have been settled in tne recorder's court. Colonel Kirkpatrick argued that such a provision would work a great hardship upon the poor and ignorant who would have to appear in the re corder's court and that for this reason he was firmly opposed to it. After a little spicy discussion the motion was put but lost. Then the ning at 12:10 a. m. the board passed a mo tion by Mr. Scott providing that Messrs T. C. Guthrie and E. U. Preston City Attorney McRae in drawing up the charter preparatory to sending it to the legislature. I was mis-misunder- questioned Pl you ary the you we adopt that if we adopt Mr. Cansler the taken from the Sev ille three. ()f the? one h; going to will better meet approval of the seven are elected seven elect the among Nothing is so good as Good Health POSTUIVi has brought back good health to thousands who suffered with coffee aches and ails. "There's a Reason J not exactly what we wanted, but opens hope for a better system government i nthe future. "Now there is a statement I want t to make," continued Mr. McDowell. "Nearly two years ago I was elected an alderman from my .ward. 1 thought it was my duty to accept. but afterward I found that taken. My motives were stood and my acts were oecause l was a stockholder in one of the public service corporations in this city. I have heard my name mentioned in connection with the mayoralty, and it does me an injus tice. I wish to state publicly that under no circumstances would 1 ac cept it and I want my name here after eliminated from the offioe." Election of the Mayor. It was proposed by Mr. Cansler. in his compromise measure, to elect the mayor first for a term of one year and thereafter two years, there by taking the election away from the storm centre of the general election and eliminating politics. Mr. W. I. Henderson wanted the mayor elected every two years from the first. After a short discussion Mr. Murphy moved that the mayor be elected first, for a term of years in order to cary out Mr. Cansler's point. This was carried. .Mr. bcott. made a motion that the three aldermen receiving the highest vote serve for four years and the otner tour tor two years. This, also was carried. A motion was made and carried amending the clause in the charter, in regai n to I tie salary ot t he mayor, so as to read "he shall not ho'jiftivo- ly' engaged in any other business rr I- - i ne veto power of the mayor was slightly changed, from five to four aldermen. Hen? the Australian bal lot was adopted. Franchises. The amendment of the franchise provisions in the charter proved to be about as serious a matter as any other feature of the charter. Objec tions followed when Mr. Scott intro duced this amendment: "The city shall have power and au thority to regulate and supervise all public utilities or quasi-public utili ties, to the end that all citizens of Charlotte shall receive equal treat ment, have good and satisfactory ser vice, .pist. and reasonable rates from an said utilities, also to impose reasonable ' and just taxes, either li cense, franchise or other taxes. The city shall haw power to require all utilities above referred to to furnish wiien necessary and required bv the board of aldermen, statements and such information as may be required y said board, and to verify same in sucn manner as the board may pre scribe to the end that the board of aldermen may exercise the powers justly and reasonably as herein pro vided." Dr. C. A. Bland, who was opposed to the amendment because of its broadness, was the first to express North, as my ch'ses tamed any serious proportions, nave i tax upon franchises, and. of course. tne customary ad valorem tax. "Many of our citizens, all of whom pay an ad valoren tax, pay also an ad ditional tax. and whv not these peo ple if it is found, upon careful investi gation, such would be justified? The hack driver pays an ad valorem tax and also a license tax. So with the butcher and many others. 'I understand from Mr. McRae that all the companies contemplated in this j particular clause can not well be reach ed by a license tax. and for that ver reason I am strongly in favor of this measure rather than a license tax for it is general, and will cover all in sucn a manner as the aldermen may. under this authority, find just and proper." .Mr. McRae here interposed objection to that statement stating how. by state legislation and authority, all could be reached by some oilier plan which he preferred. "I fail to see any logic gentlemen, in the contention that inasmuch as the legislature meets every two years, and can, at any time, insert the clause into our charter, mat it should not now be done, or that by so ding a club is rais ed over the heads of tne public utili ties. It must be evident to you that if purchasers of the bonds of these companies would hesitate to buy them on account of this fair measure they would only hesitate the more if no reas onable action had already been taken, but felt, that even some drastic steps might be taken at the very next sit ting of the legislature." Mr. McRae rose again and wanted to know if Mr. Keesler favored an in come tax. Mr. Keesler replied that he would answer that when he got to it. Continuing. Mr. Keesler said: "The board can never know when the proper time has arrived for imposing a just and reasonable tax, if any. upon these people it some power, just such as herein contemplated, is not given them. We have presented here for your consideration and ask you to rati fy some very drastic measures, touch ing the masses of the people. Meas ures, which soome good people deem burdensome beyond their powers of en durance, but they will likely be passed: yet some are absolutely unwilling to give the aldermen the ample power to get statements from these companies to the end runt a reasonable tax may be imposed, if the facts so found justi fy. "It was a dark hour ror Charlotte when the Independent Telephone Com pany pased away, and we were ieft without competition in the line. If tne Southern xiell Company, upon pro per inquiry, is tound to he not paying t reasonable tax, then it should be re quired to so cio. So with the others I will mention another corporation. the IC.'s. Now. without having facts and figures before me I make bola to say that it might be found, and it look's to me. that way, that the company which is now being called upon to pay out vast sums in street, improvements, and, in consequence ought to be re leased from additional burdens at this time. Can the same be said oi e others? "Give the aldermen the power to get tnese statements, and trom them to as certain which are paying their part into the public treasury. If all are doing so. no additional tax will be imposed, I warrant you. And if some are. and others are not. then let the matter be equalized justly and no one will be hurt." Pole Tax. The question taxing tha telephone, telegraph and other companies for use of the streets in placing poles receiv ed considerable discussion. It was finally deemed to impose a tax not ex ceeding one dollar per pole per an num, giving the board the power to regulate the rate to be charged. Permanent Street Improvements. When mat section of the charter re lating to permanent street improve ments was read whereby the cost or such improvements must be borne en tirely bv the owners of abutting pro perty where the stret car line does not run and payments to be made in 10 yearly installments. Mr. Scott of fered an amendment excepting Trade Tryon and the Boulevard. Colonel Kirkpatrick seconded the motion and then ensued a riht lengthy discussion, i Mr. Cansler begged the board not to interfere with the street improvement scheme, saying that was the only way to have good streets; let those who would receive the benefits pay for them. "This is the only just and equit able way," he said. Finally Mr. Scott's amendment was carried, providing that East Trade as far as McDowell; North Tryon as far as the Seaboard Air Line otatioit. and We?t. Trade as far as the Southern passenger station be excepted from that provision requiring a peti tion from one-third of the property owners. Then a vote was taken on the original provision with Mr. Scott's 1 amendment and was carried by a large THE CRIME OF IDLENESS Idleness mean? trouble for any Its the same with a lazy liver. constipation, neauache, jaun dice, sallow complexion, pimples and ! blotches, loss of appetite, nausea, but Dr. King's New Life Pills soon banish ' liver troubles and build up your health. 2"c at Woodall & Sheppard's. Fire h- original provision was carried. T As a last act before adjoun BRIEFS A box-ball attraction at bowling parlor is a new the auditorium. Free bowling tonight from i) to 11:30 o clock. The Scottish Rite Masons will ( meet. Monday night, when degrees from tne tourtn to nnnn win oe conierreu. Mr. Preston B. Wilkes, of Norfolk, has returned to Charlotte to live. He has a position with the Standard Oil Company. Mr. W. F. Buchanan has begun the erection of a couple of fiats on his lot in rear of the Presbyterian hos pital. From indications big crowds will attend the benefit attraction at the Edisonia on Thursday and Friday, the proceeds of which will be used for mountain mission work. The Dowd building on West Fourth street is about ready for the roof. It b two stories high with four stores on the ground floor and sleeping apartments up stairs. There was a called meeting of the Mecklenburg Medical Society last night at which a resolution endorsing the action of the state board of medi cal examiners in raising the educa tional standard for applicants for li cense to practice medicine. Mr. D. E. Witt of Lynchburg, spec ial agent for the Germania Fire In surance Company, is in town today adjusting the loss of Mr. W. S. Shaffer, cn his building, No. 610 North Brevard street, which burned on the 13th inst. Mr. J. B. Tennent, who will have charge of Woodall & Sheppard's soda fountain is not at present connected with the Savoy in Augusta, Ga., as stated in The News. For ' several months he has represented Robt. M. Green & Sons, soda fountain manufac turers in Philadelphia. Roam 7, Salvation Army The Salvation held an Soldiers Farewell. Army interesting yet of this city unique meet ing on Sunday night. The hall was packed to the doors. It was another special occasion of the Salvation Ar my. At this meeting Miss Josephine Phillips and Miss Lillie Salms, who have been associated with the army here, bade farewell to their comrades and friends to enter the Salvation Army Training School at New York r-Hv Thore thpv will undergo a course of training and will enter the field as officers. A nill In time that will save nine is nri fairiv RInes Little Liver Pills, ror bilious iw...., "... . ., i.s ml ness, sick headache, constipation, i ney do not gripe. Price 25. boia ny t. u Alexander & Co. mi if SM " j ' M;.M.-...Nf of ween have ' weii. er 2.4 ai e. $ ir ai ?3k e w a . t . work thfffif ' ' 1 f:i W. - v -ds '5sV a brownstone Pa ir iiitiiip n niium i minim mm lv.t u-u you ir-a m82& f&z&ti fctd ss avi! enrols f -j! e JL IS e I ire! Odd Trousers ! Brighten up that oV, Suit by a new pair of Tiu- vs. v'.Y ,-.Vi iii you up at a very moderate cost and your old .-"H v . I'.! . ' . ...' can y you through the winter and look a little more p-spe i'.'. , , have them in a variety of fabrics writable for Ion--: si nii . . ;., ,., Ti ousers at Si'.."'). ?:,..'.u, $T,.vU u; to ?:.';i. Com.- !. i, . , j your legs. Nov.- shapes and color:- in Sirring Mats. ; Yorke ' Bros. & Roaers ! ,. , fVsra iTV-b- i loll jM uBl u i AEi It rill surely eomd at taia iaa soa of th yer. ceatroyin yom assist store. Dwelling, Furnitur, Machinery ar Merchaiidls. Toa will iiftYa aur tedacmlty against loae if you have on o! tht policies Issued o me ra compam. representing $40,008,000 aeseto nrll long reputation for lair tfeaiinc e ; prompt aettl amenta. KOD t u. ftiooie Skirts Dyed 75 Cents Ladies' and Men's ulis Dvetf $1.50 Queen City Dyeing and Gleaning Work yrup ft PS 11 . C' mnJoeraia Cleanses the System Eff ect uallv; Dispels Colas andueaa- hes due To Ixmsiipaiion; ac TC a. 11 4 1 Arts naturally, acts truly as a Lax alive. Tl i r II A T Best forMen.VVomen an ren-youngana Uld. Io get its lleneicialEfects Always tuy the Genuine uhich has ihe full name of the Com- 1 CALIFORNIA To Syrup Co. M . . 1 1. I . a. pruned on Tne bv vvhom it is manufacnm front oreverv dockcih Sni n BY ALL LEADING DRUGGISTS. one size only, regular price 50 per bottle. YE fVsra fv- u 100 jM bBl n -AT- lf?f I AM9S lllLLliLJ'lN O &&fr& XKif&4 Anything a man needs in his v.ardrcl.o from S;iii.s Ov-cr . Y GLOBE- 1 l udcrwc ar. Neckwear, Ilat. to Trunks. Suit Ti.v. . 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One 6-room on East Stonewall sZF'ft '' j':iJgl l)tn by us pronivJy ' ' ' St., all modern improvements. Sil approved manwr. s?ts-B:;: Your Suit i ,?.-" d " One 5-room house East Stone- rTfTMl Indies" garn:-nts -; - wall St., all modern improve- StJi -iLSlll teniion. T7z"' oue Mc- Genlrai Pressing TlJt91f&HryA. 35 E. Fifth St. D. W. r CMcneus rr 33 East Fourth Street. $T !L S . . S 11 K I. II tie liews leaip ffc - " ' 71 -
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Feb. 16, 1909, edition 1
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